Steve Coogan to star in new TV drama from the makers of House

Steve Coogan will play a charismatic but troubled lawyer in Doubt (Picture: PA)

He might be best known for such comic creations as Alan Partridge – but Steve Coogan is now set to show off his serious acting skills after signing up to a new US TV drama.

The 47-year-old will star in a pilot episode for prospective new drama Doubt, the latest small screen effort from House supremo David Shore.

Coogan, who was reportedly chosen for the role following a lengthy casting search, will play policeman-turned-lawyer Vincent, who divides his time between working the system for clients and trying to reconcile with his ex-wife.

The character is described as ‘handsome, quick-witted and extremely smart’.

Hugh Laurie won two Golden Globes for his role in long-running drama House (Picture: Universal Television Distribution)

If the series proves successful, it could potentially do for Coogan in the US what House did for Hugh Laurie.

The actor, who had previously been known for playing bumbling characters in the likes of Blackadder and Jeeves and Wooster, won a new fan base when he was cast as curmudgeonly medic Dr Gregory House – a role which won him two Golden Globes for best actor in a drama.

Coogan, meanwhile, is due to reprise his most famous role of Alan Partridge in the forthcoming movie Alpha Papa.

A teaser trailer, which is released in August, was released last week, featuring the notorious Norwich DJ mulling possible titles for the film.